This year’s Met Gala delivered no shortage of A-listers—or headline-making looks that quickly sparked debate. Celebrities flooded the grand staircase at Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday night, showcasing bold and often eyebrow-raising interpretations of the theme, “Costume Art.”
While the spectacle is driven by the stars, the event is ultimately about fashion. Designers invite celebrities they view as muses or brand ambassadors to represent their creations on the red carpet, collaborating closely with stylists and the celebrities themselves to bring each look to life.
And with so many fashion houses working simultaneously, certain trends inevitably emerge. This year, one standout detail dominated the carpet: breastplates.
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Kim Kardashian
First up is the ultimate muse, Kim Kardashian. For the night, she wore a sculptural design by Allen Jones and Whitaker Malem.
The look featured a metallic orange, turtleneck corset-style armor bodysuit that appeared molded to her figure, complete with a bold, bullet-bra-inspired design. She paired it with an open-front leather skirt.
The back of the ensemble was just as striking, with an open design secured by two belts across her toned back. The Skims mogul completed the look with beige pumps, wearing her hair down in a sleek middle part with a blonde finish.
Hailey Bieber
Hailey Bieber channeled modern-day Greek goddess energy on the carpet. She wore a custom Saint Laurent look designed by Anthony Vaccarello that seamlessly blended fashion with sculpture.
For the “Costume Art” exhibition and “Fashion Is Art” dress code, the Rhode founder stepped out in a sculpted, 24-karat gold-plated breastplate that was custom-molded to her body. The striking armor-like bodice was paired with a form-fitting cobalt blue silk chiffon skirt, creating a dramatic contrast between structure and fluidity.
The mom of one completed the ethereal look with a matching sheer blue chiffon cape, chunky gold earrings that echoed the sculptural bodice, and statement rings. According to Vogue, the ensemble was inspired by the collaboration between Claude Lalanne and Yves Saint Laurent, specifically referencing Lalanne’s iconic sculpted breastplates from the 1969 collection.
Kylie Jenner
Kylie Jenner stepped out in a custom Schiaparelli deconstructed gown that leaned heavily into sculptural design. Created by Daniel Roseberry, the look featured a nude-illusion bustier paired with a voluminous cream silk skirt styled to appear as if it were slipping off her body.
The craftsmanship behind the skirt was especially intricate, requiring around 11,000 hours of labor. It was adorned with 10,000 natural baroque pearls, 2,000 satin-stitch balls, and more than 7,000 hand-painted pearlescent fish-scale details, making it one of the most detailed looks of the night.
